R series choices!

[stuartf]

Here are the two choices I am faced with, my needs are modest, no games mostly office software and some Photoshop (modest demands for that). I am thinking that if I can upgrade the HD on the 51, that would be the best deal for me. Any particular differences between the 51 and 52 that are not apparent by the specs?? The Flex view on the first choice seems especially nice, I weigh my choices heavily towards keyboard and screen, speed is not as important.

I had been looking at the T42, but these prices are more reasonable and I don't especially need light weight or long battery life, two apparent advantages for the T series.

About the multi-burners.. are these the same slow options as on the T series??

Am I limited to IBM branded upgrades on the optical drive or HD with these models; I have seen lots of discussion on the T forum that mentions this limitation and I didn;t know if it applied to the R as well.

Thanks

BTW, these are EPP prices!



ThinkPad R51

1836Q7U $1,099.00

Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (1.7GHz 2MB L2 Cache 400MHz FSB) (Standard)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Display type: 15.0 inch SXGA+ IPS (1400x1050) TFT FlexView Display with wide viewing angle and high density display
ThinkPad 512MB Mobile Standard Memory
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 9000
ThinkPad 80GB Hard Disk Drive (4200 rpm)
Multi-Burner Ultrabay Enhanced Mobile side tray (Rambo 4)
Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem (Standard)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless and Bluetooth (Standard)
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)
Special offers: Free 512MB Additional Memory, Customer Installed W7P98E8

OR


ThinkPad R52 18494WU
$1,159.20
Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86GHz 2MB L2 533MHz FSB) (Standard)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Standard)
15.0 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT Display (Standard)
512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM (Standard)
Hard drive: 80GB 5400rpm EIDE ATA (Standard)
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300
ThinkPad Multi-Burner Ultrabay Enhanced 24X Max DVD Recordable Drive (Standard)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem (Standard)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: Bluetooth Wireless (Standard)
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)

Free 512MB Additional Memory, Customer Installed

[abvc]

i would go for r52.

[ariadgr]

I've got an R52 similar to the one you mention and I am completely satisfied, so I do recommend it. I cannot see any problem with my screen, even though it is not flexview. So I would recommend it.
The DVD-R on the R52 is 8x speed.

You are not limited to IBM branded upgrades for HD or optical drive.

[thePCxp]

ThinkPad R51

1836Q7U $1,099.00

Intel Pentium M Processor 735 (1.7GHz 2MB L2 Cache 400MHz FSB) (Standard)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Display type: 15.0 inch SXGA+ IPS (1400x1050) TFT FlexView Display with wide viewing angle and high density display
ThinkPad 512MB Mobile Standard Memory
32MB ATI Mobility RADEON 9000
ThinkPad 80GB Hard Disk Drive (4200 rpm)
Multi-Burner Ultrabay Enhanced Mobile side tray (Rambo 4)
Intel PRO/1000 Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem (Standard)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: IBM 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless and Bluetooth (Standard)
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)
Special offers: Free 512MB Additional Memory, Customer Installed W7P98E8

OR


ThinkPad R52 18494WU
$1,159.20
Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86GHz 2MB L2 533MHz FSB) (Standard)
Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Standard)
15.0 inch SXGA+ (1400x1050) TFT Display (Standard)
512MB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM (Standard)
Hard drive: 80GB 5400rpm EIDE ATA (Standard)
64MB ATI Mobility RADEON x300
ThinkPad Multi-Burner Ultrabay Enhanced 24X Max DVD Recordable Drive (Standard)
Integrated Gigabit Ethernet and 56K V.92 designed modem (Standard)
Integrated WiFi wireless LAN: Bluetooth Wireless (Standard)
Battery: 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (Standard)

Free 512MB Additional Memory, Customer Installed

Both of those models are good but I think that I would go for the R52.

[stuartf]

OK, so why do all posters select the R52 choice? Assume that I can upgrade the HD on the 51 to something faster, doesn't the Flexview screen
trump the remaining advanatge of the 52 (faster processor) as speed is not really a priority of mine, rather great screen and keyboard.

Am I missing something (wouldn't be the first time!)

Thanks